I hear at least 12 gasps other than my own. I find myself laughing, almost. It's the most inappropriate thing I could have done. Avery looks over to me, tears in her eyes. Cody pulls her into a hug, being the hopeless romantic he is. My giggle makes me insane. I think I'm going insane. The gun in my hand gives me this power and feel so...strong. I realize my insanity and drop the weapon into my lap. I lean back into the chair and listen to Avery explain herself.  Everyone knew her father died last year. No one knew how or why. I stopped asking.

     She explains herself, they claimed her mother killed him. I remember her mom being dragged out of the house by the police. I also remember seeing her return home and pretend like it never happened. The two weeks where she was vulnerable were the best in Avery's life. I had learned of her father's alcohol problem, but I hadn't known he beat her and her mother. She shot him in self-defense, but her mother took the blame as she was the one being beaten at that time. Two weeks after his death, Avery's mother poured herself into her work. She hadn't been home for over a week since. She started taking every travel opportunity possible, leaving Avery in the dust. I suppose that's when she started the act out. Going to clubs, getting drunk, skipping class and one night stands have her no more attention. But, it was fun. So she kept going, and that's where we are today.

I find the train stop, in Grand Central Station. Avery stands up wobbly, with my brother's arms still around her. I sorta feel bad, I mean, he doesn't know she's pregnant. He likes her a lot. I think he might love her, actually. We step off the train and into the magical Grand Central. It probably would have been more spectacular if we weren't being chauffeured by Agent Brown. He tells us so many rules and "what if's," I think my brain is about to explode. Finally, we take a taxi to this magical food building.

I walk in, following Alex and Cody who are three steps ahead of me. We read the map and find the only cannoli store. It's near, so we take a left turn and head to what may be the death of us. We step into the shop, I place my hand into Alex's as the sweet smell of cannolis rushes through my nose. The head baker gives me a wide grin.

"For Ms. Ruby Rose?" He asks. I nod and slowly approach him. He hands me a small paper bag, labeled "Ruby Rose." I thank him and wearily take the bag out of the store. We stand in the hall area and peel open the bag. I find four wrapped cannolis. They have our names written on them. I pass them out before peeling open mine. I find a chocolate cannoli, but with no filling. It's just the shell with paper inside. I slide out the paper. I take me a minute, but then I realize it's two plane tickets. I look up to see each of my friends mowing down on their cannolis. Filled with cream, cannolis. Alex looks at me.

"Do you not like cannolis?" He asks, clueless. I don't answer him, but read the note attached to the first ticket.

You + Alex, Avery or Cody. Your choice. It's a thank you. I'm also curious as to who you'll pick. It's a fun-filled vacation with a full travel plan you'll get once you arrive at the airport.

"It's not edible. I have to plane tickets plus a note asking me to choose between the three of you. Not like permanently, but choose a person to go on the trip with." I explain.
"When is it?" Avery asks. I check the date.
"March 3, until March 13," I answer, reading it straight off the ticket. She shakes her head.
"I can't go, I have an, um, appointment.... on March 7th." She says. So that rules out a girls trip. So, I have to ask myself, romantic vacation or family vacation? I don't have to think about it very long. I live with Cody. I already have to put up with his farts and video games. I'm not choosing to spend my free vacation with him.
"Then, I choose Alex, I guess." I stutter. Alex gives me a grin. Agent Brown walks towards us, he was watching the whole time and advises us not to go, but am I going to just not go on a free romantic vacation? Uh, no. I'm going. So, we have two days to make it back to Maine, pack and get ourselves to the airport. Once in Maine, I don't plan to see Alex until I arrive at the airport.

       I get back to Maine and find my father in the living room with a bunch of friends drinking beer. The house stenches of alcohol. My father stands up, drunk and wobbly. I give him a weak smile, I've never seen him this drunk. Cody went to take Avery home, so I won't be surprised if he doesn't come home for another hour or two. My father walks toward me and smiles.

     "You've always been my least favorite," he says. I glance nervously at the ground, for the first time, afraid of my father. He begins to yell at me.
       "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN THE PAST THREE DAYS?" He shouts, the alcohol on his breath, potent.

[TRIGGER/MATURE WARNING]

     One of his friends, whom I've never met, approaches us. The smell of alcohol gets much stronger than it already was when he comes closer. The friend pins me down, I feel tears running down my cheeks. He socks me in the mouth before tearing off my shirt.
       "Please stop...." I croak as he tears my pants. I'm full out sobbing, now. This guy has got to be 40 or 50. He moves his foot, opening up. I knee him in the crotch and make a run for it. I don't look back, rushing out of the house and into my car.